Gallinari is just 21 years old and a virtual rookie. He is not the Knicks’ leading scorer or their franchise player or an established star, although they have hopes for all of those things.

Still, he felt the responsibility was his on this night. He said so in pointed and sometimes profane terms, showing a full grasp of English slang as he cursed his mistakes.

“If I play 42 minutes and I go 1 for 6 from 3, I definitely have to think about this game,” Gallinari said tensely. “I’m on the court and I’m a big part of the offense. So if I shoot the ball bad like that in these type of games – tie games, at the end of the game, you look at the shots – definitely got to blame myself.”

Surely, Boozer, who played for D'Antoni at the Olympics, is on the Knick list.

"I love D'Antoni, he's the dope," Boozer said. "Spending time with him in the Olympics, his offensive mindset is unbelievable. He's got the best plays I've ever been around -- on a whim. It's like rappers when they come out on the top of the dome with quotes. He's got plays in the back of his head with plays for that moment."

D'Antoni said he was reluctant to talk about Boozer because of tampering, saying only, "Anyone on the US Olympic team is one of the top 20 players in the game. He's definitely up there."

Even though Boozer got snubbed from the All-Star Game, the chances of the former Duke NCAA champion re-signing with the Jazz is stronger than when the season started. Utah is a Western Conference force again, with a 48-26 record, in fourth place, ready to make the playoffs for the 24th time in 27 years. That is an astounding stretch considering the Knicks, after being mathematically eliminated Sunday night, having missed postseason eight of the last nine years.

Why leave a championship contender for an organization years away from contending?

This is the question Kobe Bryant and LeBron James will face if either leaves the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers as an unrestricted free agent this summer to sign with the dysfunctional New York Knicks.

Gallinari, who was limited to just 28 games as a rookie due to a back injury that eventually required surgery, has been inconsistent this season. Three weeks ago, Mike D'Antoni criticized Gallinari for his lackluster play, but recently he's been one of the Knicks' most consistent players.

Gallinari's development is crucial for several reasons. He's one of the few Knicks under contract for next season, and his presence could either hurt or help the team recruit a significant free agent this summer. In November, when the Cavs made their one and only visit to the Garden this season, a LeBron James confidant pointed at Gallinari and said "LeBron wants to see how this kid does this year."

After the game, LeBron approached Gallinari to offer encouragement and advised him to make sure he stretches his back before every game. Jordan was never that chummy with Kukoc.

The war of words between Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni and Jordan Hill is on.

D'Antoni got his hackles up before yesterday's Rockets showdown when The Post asked him about ex-Knick Hill's recent remarks. Hill said he couldn't strut his stuff in New York because D'Antoni isn't fond of playing rookies.

"Where does that come from?" D'Antoni said. "Seriously. It's something that cracks me up. I don't play rookies? I don't like to play bad rookies."

"I’d have to go with LeBron," said Granger. "Without him, they (the Cavs) probably wouldn’t win that many games. But with him, they are pretty much unstoppable. I think he’s one of the most unstoppable forces in the NBA.

Granger was then asked if he expects LeBron to re-sign with Cleveland or sign with New York.

"If I was LeBron, I’d go to New York," said Granger.

"New York is the media mecca as far as endorsements and being able to expand your personnel net worth. The exposure you can get there isn’t only nationally but globally. New York does all that for you."